Ashby was born in Derby.[1] He began his career with Derby Athletic and in 1896 joined Burton Swifts, where he made 88 league appearances over the next two seasons.[2] Ashby moved on to Brighton United in 1898.[2] He spent nearly two seasons there before the club experienced financial difficulties, released their players and were dissolved.[3] Ashby joined Burton United in 1901, an amalgamation of the Swifts and Burton Wanderers,[2] and played in 92 league matches over the next three seasons.[1]
He moved to Plymouth Argyle in 1904, where he made 41 appearances in all competitions and received a Western League winners medal in his one season with the club.[2] A club handbook describes Ashby as "a player who has had a good reputation among second leaguers for several seasons."[2] He joined Leicester Fosse in 1905 for an £80 transfer fee.[1][4] He spent two seasons with the club and made 68 appearances in all competitions before ending his playing career.[4] Ashby died in 1926.[1]
^Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan (1987). Saints: A Complete Record of Southampton Football Club 1885–1987. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 249. ISBN0-907969-22-4.
